Sulphur Springs (7-1, 3-0) at Kaufman (6-2, 2-1): One of the state’s real feel-good stories is going on in Sulphur Springs, where after going 0-10 a year ago, new head coach Brandon Faircloth has come in and completely changed the culture for the Wildcats who have won seven of their first eight games. Last week the Wildcats slipped past old rivals Paris in a thriller 21-14 as junior QB Brady Driver tossed three touchdown passes, two of which went to CJ Williams and the Wildcats defense pitched a second half shutout. Kaufman bounced back from their loss to unbeaten Anna last week and took care of business with a workman like 31-7 win over Mabank. Kaufman’s played the much tougher schedule this season and they are battle tested and despite the massive improvement from Sulphur Springs, the Lions take this one and get the inside track to second place in this district. Stepp’s Pick: Kaufman by 10
Little Cypress-Mauriceville (5-3, 2-1) at Lumberton (7-1, 3-0): Lumberton all season long has proven themselves to be the top team in 4A-Division I in the Golden Triangle, but this will be their toughest test in district play as a dangerous Little Cypress-Mauriceville squad comes calling. LCM after dropping their district opener to Vidor has gotten things rolling, last week they thumped Splendora 55-9 to keep themselves in the race for the district title. Lumberton blasted Huffman-Hargrave 49-7 last week, which is basically about the scoring pace they’ve been on through three district games, the Raiders are big and physical up front and they’ve been executing at an elite level on offense all year long, they are emerging as a real sleeper in Region III come playoff time. Although, Little Cypress-Mauriceville is dangerous, their five wins are over opponents with a combined 8-32 record, this would by far be their best win of the season if they can pull off the upset. Stepp’s Pick: Lumberton by 14